Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure stopped the Ulster-Scots Agency's policy of targeting social need by removing the appropriate section of its budget for the year 2004.

Baroness Amos: The approved budget for 2004 for the Ulster-Scots Agency is £1,704,000. This gives an increase of £164,000 (10.65 per cent), on the approved budget for 2003. The budget was calculated on the basis of the 2003 budget with amounts due to inflation and the cost of additional staff. This is in line with the care and maintenance mode in which North/South bodies are operating. The Ulster-Scots Agency's policy of targeting social need is ongoing and the approved budget for 2004 should not impact detrimentally on this. Targeting social need is a cross-cutting theme that should be reflected throughout the agency's programme of work.

Northern Ireland: Accidental Dwelling Fires

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 March (WA 74) concerning cigarette-related fires in Northern Ireland, how many fires were started by means other than cigarettes; and by what other means.

Baroness Amos: The numbers of accidental dwelling fires in Northern Ireland caused by means other than cigarettes since 2000 are as follows:
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04(1) 
			 Chip pan/ grill pan 435 382 316 105 
			 Electrical Fault 263 214 224 177 
			 Children, Matches 52 55 43 23 
			 Candles 0 55 51 24 
			 Others 492 414 336 107 
		
	
	(1)1 April 2003 to 22 March 2004—the latest date for which statistics are available.

Northern Ireland: Languages

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why a leaflet produced by the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety entitled The New GP Contract (reference 299/2003) is not available in the Ulster Scots language.

Baroness Amos: In keeping with the department's policy on publications, the leaflet in question was produced in English only. The leaflet indicates that it will be made available in Irish, Chinese, large print, audio tape and Braille and states that consideration will be given for translation into other minority ethnic languages on request.

Iraq: Car Bombs

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many car bombs have been intercepted by security forces in Basra this month.

Lord Bach: In the period 1 to 31 March 2004, the United Kingdom forces in Basra intercepted one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

Defence Spending

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the total government expenditure on defence in the years 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 and what are the expected totals for 2003–04 and 2004–05, expressed in a table showing the figures in current and constant terms and indicating the percentage of gross domestic product for each year.

Lord Bach: Defence spending for these years in current and constant terms can be found in Table 6 of the Government's Expenditure Plans 2003–04—2005–06 for the Ministry of Defence (Cm 5912).
	Defence spending as a percentage of GDP for the period 2000–01 to 2004–05 is:
	2000–01: 2.4 per cent
	2001–02: 2.4 per cent
	2002–03: 2.3 per cent
	2003–04: 2.3 per cent
	2004–05: 2.3 per cent
	The Ministry of Defence plans to publish updated figures in the Government's Expenditure Plans 2004–05—2005–06 for the Ministry of Defence in May 2004.

MoD and Environmental Tectonics Corporation

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 January (WA 111–112), whether they have reached a settlement with Defence and Environmental Tectonics Corporation in respect of the failure of that company to deliver the Royal Air Force centrifuge within the terms of its contract with the Ministry of Defence.

Lord Bach: Under the terms of an agreement reached with the Environmental Tectonics Corporation in March 2004, the Ministry of Defence reached a full and final settlement of the dispute in respect of the failure of that company to deliver a centrifuge to the Royal Air Force.

Reservists

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 20 April (WA 24), why the reserve standard award for the mobilised members of the Reserve Forces has not been changed since 1997; and whether they will update it forthwith, with retrospective effect to the beginning of the 2003 Iraq conflict.

Lord Bach: The regulations for the Reservist's standard award are set out in SI 1997/309. Although the banded ceilings relating to that award were prescribed in 1997, they have continued to meet the needs of the vast majority of Reservists who have made claims for financial assistance under the regulations. Furthermore, those Reservists who believe that they would suffer hardship if they receive only the standard award are able to claim an additional hardship award. There is no ceiling for a hardship award. Reservists who are dissatisfied with the payments they receive from the Ministry of Defence may appeal to a Reserve Forces appeal tribunal. Of the 10,000 Reservists that have been called out since January 2003, only eight have submitted appeals regarding their financial awards. Of those eight, two were resolved to the Reservists' satisfaction before the date of the appeal hearing, two were found in favour of the Service authorities, one is ongoing and three have yet to be heard.
	Notwithstanding that the current regulations have satisfied the needs of the great majority of Reservists, we recognise that the current system is both time-consuming to administer and perceived to be intrusive by Reservists. Also, we recognise that the banded ceilings are being eroded by pay awards. We are therefore planning to introduce new regulations, but there is no intention or need to make them retrospective.

NATO: Ground Surveillance System

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the present status of the NATO air-to-ground surveillance (AGS) programme; to what extent the United Kingdom is participating in that programme; and how will the AGS system, when it is in operation, inter-relate with the United Kingdom's airborne stand-off radar (ASTOR) system.

Lord Bach: NATO has recently announced its preferred solution to meet the requirements for a NATO-owned and operated core alliance ground surveillance (AGS) system. NATO has decided to pursue the transatlantic industrial proposed system (TIPS) option proposed by a consortium led by EADS and Northrop Grumman. The TIPS option is based on a mixed fleet of manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). NATO AGS work is now focused on taking the TIPS option through to contract award in spring 2005.
	The UK participated in the recently completed definition phase. While we shall not be a funding partner in future phases of the core AGS programme, we will contribute advice and guidance to ensure that the required interoperability with the ASTOR system is achieved. The UK will be offering ASTOR as a national contribution to the overall NATO AGS capability, to complement the core AGS system when the latter enters service.

Airborne Stand-off Radar Programme

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) programme is still expected to result in the acquisition of five aircraft at a cost of £83.3 million each and eight ground stations at £15.2 million each; and how the remaining £462.1 million project costs, as estimated on 31 March 2003, are made up.

Lord Bach: Five air platforms and eight ground stations are planned to be purchased as part of the ASTOR programme at the costs stated. The remaining project costs comprise development of the ASTOR system, establishment of a training school at RAF Waddington and provision of support. Costs are as at 31 March 2003 and as published in the major project report 2003.

Watchkeeper

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for enhancing the capabilities of Watchkeeper by incremental acquisition after its initial entry into service.

Lord Bach: Watchkeeper is expected to be delivered through an incremental delivery programme to allow the system to benefit from both existing and developing sensors and air vehicle technology. The programme will develop from an initial operating capability to a full operating capability with timescales to be set at the main investment decision planned for later this year.

Watchkeeper

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What constraints there are on the transmission by Bowman of streamlined video images provided by Watchkeeper.

Lord Bach: Although its approved requirement does not provide for the transmission of streamed video, Bowman has a high-capacity data capability to handle and distribute compressed images and other data extracted from such sources. The effective transmission of data across the Bowman networks is a function of the size of the data file and the bandwidth available at the time.

Watchkeeper

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for making Watchkeeper available to warships of the Royal Navy.

Lord Bach: We expect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be a joint capability for the joint battlespace supporting a network enabled capability. At this stage we envisage them operating primarily within the land environment but we are exploring the wider operational untility of UAV systems in the joint battlespace, including the maritime environment, through the joint UAV experimentation programme (JUEP).

Iraq: Civilian Deaths

Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Iraqi civilians were killed by coalition forces in the month of March 2004.

Lord Bach: United Kingdom units report all confirmed fatalities of which they are aware arising from incidents in which they were involved. We have recently put in place a mechanism for collation of unit reports since 1 May 2003. I will write to the noble Baroness as soon as a figure for March 2004 has been collated but due to the number of reports that must be examined, this is likely to take some time.
	We are not in a position to comment on civilian casualties allegedly caused by other coalition partners.

Education: Targets

Baroness Maddock: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to reach their target that 85 per cent of 19 year-olds achieve a level 2 qualification.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It is not a government target that 85 per cent of 19 year-olds achieve a level 2 qualification. In the 2000 spending review, we agreed and published, the following target—the proportion of 19 year-olds who get qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A*–C rises by three percentage points between 2002 and 2004 with a further increase of three percentage points by 2006.
	Measurement of outturn against the target in autumn 2003 was broadly in line with the progress needed to hit the 2004 target.

Pensions Bill: Limited Price Indexation

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessments have been made, in the context of the Pensions Bill, of the impact that reducing limited price indexation will have on the number of pensioners eligible for means-tested benefits if inflation exceeds 2.5 per cent.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: We estimate that, as a result of reducing the limited price indexation cap from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, the average pensioner will face a reduction in their total income over retirement of less than 2 per cent. We do not therefore expect a significant increase in the number of pensioners eligible for income-related benefits.

Pensions Bill: Limited Price Indexation

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the rates of poverty among people aged over 80 are likely to be affected by the reduction in limited price indexation as outlined in the Pensions Bill.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: We estimate that, as a result of reducing the limited price indexation cap from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, the average pensioner will face a reduction in their total income over retirement of less than 2 per cent. As those affected will already have additional provision for their retirement from their occupational pensions, it is unlikely the measure will have any measurable impact on people aged over 80. Moreover, other measures in the Bill, such as the Pension Protection Fund, should help all pensioners by offering protection against the more significant losses of retirement income that may result from employer insolvency.

Pensions Bill: Pension Protection Fund

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	From where, if the Pensions Bill becomes law as now drafted, the extra resources required by final salary pension schemes to pay the Pension Protection Fund levy are to come.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The PPF forms part of a substantial and balanced package of measures seeking to ease the financial and administrative burden on employers while offering a sustainable system of protection to individuals. In this way, it is hoped that possible savings made elsewhere through simplification measures will contribute to reducing the effect of the PPF levy on business overall.
	As explained in PQ/04/2442, the requirement to pay the levy will fall on the trustees of the scheme, who will be left to judge how the levy charge could then be shared as they see fit among employers and employees as one of the overall pension costs. Therefore, if any extra resources are required, they may be shared fairly between both the employer and active members.
	The Government want to take action to increase member protection without overburdening levy payers, which is why care is being taken to calculate the levy in the fairest possible way and minimise the burden on schemes.

Domestic Violence: Emergency Accommodation

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support they have given between January 2002 and January 2004 to organisations that give advice and emergency accommodation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing from domestic violence.

Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not provided funds directly to organisations that give advice or emergency accommodation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing from domestic violence between January 2002 and January 2004. However, the Supporting People programme, which went live on 1 April 2003, enables local authorities to provide housing-related support to vulnerable groups, including victims of domestic violence. Between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004, around £57 million went towards an estimated 5,400 dwellings of housing-related support for victims of domestic violence.
	The Home Office has also provided a one-off payment to Broken Rainbow for £120,000 in January 2004, to help to set up a domestic violence helpline for the LGBT community.

Domestic Violence: Emergency Accommodation

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Service (UK) on funding to ensure that there is emergency refuge service provision for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing from domestic violence.

Lord Rooker: Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have had brief discussions with Broken Rainbow in 2004 in relation to the establishment of emergency refuge accommodation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing from domestic violence. Officials from the Government Office for London have also met representatives from Broken Rainbow this month to discuss plans for a refuge service in London.
	As there is no central revenue funding for such schemes, Broken Rainbow has been advised of alternative funding streams and to make contact with the relevant local authorities to put forward the case for such a service.

Local Authorities: Conduct of Candidates

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the local authority standards boards and their codes of conduct have any legal standing or functions in relation to the conduct of candidates, political parties and election agents in local elections.

Lord Rooker: The code of conduct, which is policed by the Standards Board for England, applies to local government members. Councillors, whether or not they are conducting re-election campaigns, remain under an obligation to act in accordance with the code. Any allegations that members had breached the code would be considered by the Standards Board in line with its usual procedures. The board has no remit in respect of political parties, candidates or election agents unless the candidates or agents are already councillors.

Ofcom: Radio Spectrum

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Ofcom has sufficient powers and technological capability to enforce appropriate controls of the 5.8GHz network, particularly in respect of dynamic frequency selection and transmit power control.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Under the provisions of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has the necessary powers to manage the use of radio spectrum in accordance with the provisions of the wireless telegraphy legislation. This includes the responsibility to license or exempt from licensing, devices operating at 5.8 GHz which must comply with the Ofcom interface requirement 2007 which includes the restrictions of dynamic frequency selection and transmit power control. At present, devices operating in this band are subject to a light licensing system where registration of terminals is enforced. Ofcom has the power under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, and the technical capability with its national field force, to take enforcement action and ultimately, where appropriate, legal proceedings against users operating devices that are not operating within the necessary licence or exemption parameters.

Civil Partnerships: Inheritance Provisions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to amend the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 so as to eliminate any difference between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The new legal status of "civil partnership" will provide a range of rights and responsibilities for same-sex couples that choose to register. The Civil Partnerships Bill makes provision for civil partners and former civil partners to be added to the categories of people entitled to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and provides for their applications to be treated on the same basis as applications made by spouses and former spouses. The Government have no current plans to amend the 1975 Act to make similar provision for co-habiting opposite-sex or same-sex couples.

Asylum Seekers: Return to Country of Origin

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they have done to publicise the safe return of refugees and asylum seekers to their own countries and communities, so as to counteract any public perception that all asylum seekers and migrants are coming one way.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: In replying to the above question I will refer to both voluntary returns and enforced removals from the UK, as they differ in approach.
	The voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP) is aimed at assisting asylum seekers and people with exceptional or discretionary leave who are considering returning to their country of origin voluntarily.
	The programme is widely publicised both internally and externally, in reporting centres and induction centres as well as on the Home Office website. Voluntary returns are also publicised to communities by non-governmental organisations including the Refugee Council, Refugee Action, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Additionally, the Home Office hosts meetings with Iraqi and Afghan community groups to raise the profile of voluntary return. The IOM, which operates VARRP on behalf of the Home Office, will return to all countries where it is safe to do so and where there are travel routes available.
	The Government recognise that there is scope for us to promote our enforced removals activity more than we are doing currently and we are taking various steps to try and achieve this. Given the sensitive nature of removals, we need to exercise caution and take into account the safety and well-being of the individuals being removed. However, we are already taking steps to promote some enforced removals by putting some information into the public domain. This includes using the media to help promote certain removals, inviting members of the press to take part in some enforcement operations and publishing quarterly statistics on all areas of IND activity, including removals. These statistics can be found on the Home Office website.

Asylum Seekers: Readmission to Third Countries

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will invite the European Commission to publish details of the readmission agreements with third states (for asylum seekers and others) which it is negotiating on behalf of member states.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It is normal procedure for the texts of the Community's readmission agreements with third countries to be made available only after negotiations and the ratification process have been completed.
	The Commission has so far been authorised by the Council to negotiate Community readmission agreements with 11 third countries, of which four have been concluded. The agreements with Macao Special Administrative Authority, Sri Lanka and Albania are undergoing ratification.
	The agreement with Hong Kong entered into force on 1 March 2004 as the first-ever Community readmission agreement. It has been published in the Official Journal.

Overseas Post-graduate Students: Visa Fees

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will waive the extension of the £150 visa fee for overseas post-graduate students pursuing a Masters in Business Administration and other courses where the graduation ceremony for successful students takes place many months after the conclusion of the courses.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Provided the requirements of the Immigration Rules are met, post-graduate students should be given leave to remain for the duration of their course plus four months. This should give post-graduate students sufficient time beyond the completion of their studies to enable them to attend their graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom.
	There is no facility to waive fees and, other than those people legally exempt from the charge, all will have to pay for their applications to be processed. An application for further leave to remain as a student or as a visitor will attract a fee of £155 for a postal application and £250 for personal callers.

Community Punishments

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the efficiency of the administration of community service punishment was last reviewed and which government agency is responsible for the matter.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The government agency responsible for reviewing the efficiency of the administration of community punishment is Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation. Community punishment schemes in all 42 areas of the National Probation Service were reviewed as part of the performance inspection programme between 1999 and 2002. These inspections addressed the achievement of national and local targets, compliance with national standards, the organisation, nature and quality of the work undertaken by offenders and the satisfaction of those who benefited from that work.
	The currrent inspection programme is the effective supervision inspection which began in June 2003 and will eventually cover all 42 areas. This will focus on management arrangements in community punishment units, along with assessment of offenders and the suitability of work placements.
	Additionally, since the development of the enhanced community punishment scheme in 2003, the National Probation Directorate has developed a framework to assess how effectively this has been implemented in probation areas. A rigorous post-implementation review is currently underway with very encouraging results. Once the implementation phase is completed, areas will undertake an annual audit of their enhanced community punishment provision to ensure that quality is maintained.

Community Punishments

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether litter clearance is a suitable activity for offenders sentenced to community service punishment.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Litter clearance is a suitable activity for offenders sentenced to community punishment and has always formed a proportion of the unpaid work—currently standing at 7 million hours each year—performed by offenders on community punishment orders. It provides punishment of offenders in combination with reparation to the community.
	The enhanced community punishment scheme which was introduced in October 2003, and is now operational in all 42 areas which make up the National Probation Service, is designed in such a way that it also has a rehabilitative effect and the potential to reduce the likelihood of reconviction.
	Research indicates that certain qualities or features of placements appear to increase the rehabilitative impact of community punishment and the introduction of enhanced community punishment obliged local probation areas to re-evaluate all existing placements with a view to their capacity:
	to provide demanding, purposeful work which the offender and the people who benefit from it see as a worthwhile contribution to the community;
	to ensure contact between the offender and the members of the community who benefit from the work;
	to provide opportunties for the offender to learn new practical and thinking skills, particularly in relation to employment; and
	to comply with health and safety requirements.
	Where existing placements have not matched these criteria, it has usually been possible for areas to work with and support beneficiaries to ensure that the requirements can be met.
	The type of activity undertaken is much less important than whether the placement provides challenging and demanding work for the offender, enabling them to develop skills which will improve their prospects in the job market. As long as the beneficiary and the probation area work in partnership, it should be possible to provide a quality placement through a well run litter clearance scheme. Suffolk Probation Area, for example, is currently undertaking litter clearance on a number of beaches as well as for local councils. A number of their staff are currently working towards a City and Guilds qualification which is a legal requirement for the supervision of litter clearance on highways and this should enable them to expand their activities further.

Prisoners: Literacy

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25 March (WA 109–10), whether they will ensure that prison governors are aware of the advantages to prisoners of a system of educated prisoners teaching illiterate prisoners to read, as promoted by the Shannon Trust and other organisations.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Prison Service appreciates the potential benefits of educated prisoners helping other prisoners to learn. There are plans to support activity to train prisoners, prison officers and staff from other agencies to become adult learner supporters. The main focus will be on the Link Up project, which is funded by the Department for Education and Skills, and delivered by the Basic Skills Agency. This project will be promoted to prisons through heads of learning and skills, who are the members of the prison senior management team responsible for raising awareness of and support for successful leaning schemes within the establishment.

Asylum Seekers from Zimbabwe

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the case of failed asylum seekers who are unable to return to Zimbabwe because of the human rights situation there, they will use their power to grant a temporary right to remain in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We recognise that conditions in Zimbabwe are such that there are individuals who will be able to demonstrate a need for international protection. Where it is found that they meet the definition of a refugee in the 1951 UN Refugee Covention, asylum is granted. There may also be individuals whose circumstances are such that they qualify for leave under our published policies on humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.
	If an asylum or human rights application is refused, there will be a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities against that decision. Should a claim be refused and any appeal be unsuccessful that means that, for that individual, return to Zimbabwe would be safe. Although we are not, in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, generally enforcing returns of such individuals at this time, we consider it entirely reasonable to expect them to leave voluntarily. It would not be appropriate in those circumstances to grant them leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

UK Frontiers: Security against Organised Crime and Illegal Immigration

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the frontiers of the United Kingdom are secure against (a) organised crime; and (b) illegal immigration.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government's strategy for tackling specifically organised immigration crime is Reflex, the multi-agency forum established in May 2000 which brings together key law enforcement players under the chair of the National Crime Squad. Reflex has funded several successful initiatives since its inception that have contributed to the reduction of criminally-driven immigration to the UK and other EU states. In particular, two projects (Impact 1 and 2) developed the capacity of border guards in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro to identify forged documents, while a third project in Romania saw the establishment of a team focusing effectively on people trafficking and smuggling.
	Reflex also funds two immigration crime teams in the UK, bringing together the subject matter expertise of the Immigration Service and the investigative capabilities of the National Crime Squad to focus on serious immigration-related crime. A third team is to be established shortly.
	Reflex activity in 2003–04 resulted in the disruption of 42 criminal groups and has identified £3 million of assets for confiscation and/or seizure.
	The National Criminal Intelligence Service manages an expanding network of Immigration Liaison Officers (currently 12) operating in key overseas posts to work closely with law enforcement agencies in the host country with the aim of tackling illegal migratory flows to the UK.
	The UK has developed a network of liaison officers in key posts overseas to build our intelligence picture on organised crime originating outside the UK. We have developed sectoral strategies, for example on drugs and organised immigration crime, which work upstream to take operational action and to achieve disruption as close to source as possible. We continue to work with international partners, and with organisations such as Interpol, Europol and Eurojust to act against organised crime which crosses international borders. The establishment of the recently announced Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) will bring a new focus to bear on reducing the harm caused to the UK and its citizens by all organised crime.
	UK Immigration Service operates pre and on-entry controls to regulate entry to the UK. Several key measures have recently been introduced in order to enhance border security. They include:
	the introduction of juxtaposed controls at specific locations overseas by which means the admissibility of passengers is considered and decided prior to embarkation, resulting in improperly documented or those ineligible for entry not being allowed to proceed to the UK;
	the expansion of the Airline Liaison Network overseas, which is designed to give advice and assistance to airlines in relation to the documentation and the prevention of the carriage of inadequately documented passengers to the UK;
	the deployment of freight searching detection equipment in UK ports and overseas to target those who seek to enter the UK clandestinely; and
	an informed visa strategy designed to establish qualification for entry to the UK prior to arrival.
	As a result of the deployment of detection technology, enhanced juxtaposed controls and close co-operation with our EU counterparts, port operators and carriers, over 9,000 people were prevented travelling to the UK from France during 2003.

EU Enlargement: Roma Migrants

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made any estimates of the number of Roma people who may seek to enter the United Kingdom following the enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004; and whether they have made any contingency plans for the reception and accommodation of these immigrants.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The published estimates of numbers likely to travel to the United Kingdom from the new members of the European Union after 1 May do not distinguish between Roma and others.
	The Government have not made contingency plans for the reception of Roma or any other migrants from those countries. We have made very clear, particularly through information campaigns in the countries concerned, that those coming to this country from the accession states must be able to support themselves. There will be no special assistance given to them.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What charge is made for the replacement of a lost or stolen United Kingdom passport; and whether such charge covers the total cost of replacing the passport there is any element of penalty included in the charge.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is no charge levied by the UK Passport Service on people who report their passports lost or stolen other than the fee required to replace the passport. There is no element of penalty in the fee charged for the replacement passport. The Passport Service operates on a net running costs regime and all its costs are recovered through passport fees. Following the introduction, from 8 December 2003, of improved arrangements for reporting lost, stolen and recovered passport arrangements, the Passport Service has conducted an extensive publicity campaign, one of the key themes of which has been to highlight passport holders' responsibilities for the safekeeping of this important document. Also, as part of its annual fee review the Passport Service will be examining whether a differential and higher fee can be charged for replacing a lost and/or stolen document.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is desirable that the Registrar of Births and Deaths should inform the Passport Office of deaths in order that any valid passport held by a deceased person can be cancelled; if so, whether legislation is needed to facilitate this; and, if so, whether they expect to introduce such legislation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The UK Passport Service has been seeking to establish arrangements to receive routine notification of deaths from the Registar General in England and Wales to enable it to cancel any passport held by a deceased person.
	Legislation is required to facilitate access to the death records for this purpose. In January 2002, the Government published the White Paper, Civil Registration: Vital Change, which set out plans for greater sharing of registration information across government. The order-making powers of the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 will be used to make changes to the legislation covering access to death registration records. It is expected that the draft order will be presented to Parliament for scrutiny before the Summer Recess.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements are in place for the cancellation of the validity of a passport held by a deceased person; how many passports of deceased persons have been returned to the authorities for cancellation in the past 12 months; and how many passports have been cancelled as a consequence of the deceased holders.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Every passport contains a reminder that it should be returned for cancellation on the death of the holder. On receipt these passports are cancelled. The United Kingdom Passport Service is in discussion with the Office for National Statistics on arrangements to facilitate via local registrars of births, marriages and deaths the return of deceased persons' passports on notification of death.
	The figures for passports of deceased persons cancelled in the last 12 months are not immediately available. The Passport Service is currently collating this information and I have asked the Director of Operations to write to the noble Lord with the information as soon as it is available.

Passports

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans there are for passports issued by member states of the European Union to include biometric detail.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: A draft regulation presented by the European Commission Document 2004/0039 on 18 February (Council Document 6406/04) will require passports issued by European Union member states to include at least one biometric identifier.

Passports

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether naturalisation information and application papers are available at all times in the Belfast Passport Office.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: UK Passport Service staff do not detail the requirements or hold the application papers for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen. All inquiries and requests are referred to the Home Office Nationality Group in Liverpool.

Passports

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in terms of passports, there are differences between British citizens and British subjects; what the differences are; and whether any changes are envisaged.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Citizenship is a matter of law, which is determined by the facts of a person's date and place of birth, those of their parents and the application of the provisions of the relevant legislation.
	The British Nationality Status of Aliens Act 1914 determined in law that all persons born in the United Kingdom and Crown's dominions would hold the status of British subject.
	The British Nationality Act 1948 introduced the concept of citizenship and determined which British subjects would become a British subject, citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (BSUKC). The Act came into force on 1 January 1949, and provided for all persons born in the United Kingdom and Colonies to become BSUKC by birth. Those born in a foreign or Commonwealth country who had a father born in the United Kingdom or existing colony would become BSUKC by descent. Other British subjects with a close connection with an independent Commonwealth country became British subjects, citizens of . . . (the Commonwealth country).
	The status of British subject was retained by a small number of British subjects. In particular Irish citizens born before 1 January 1949 could elect to remain British subjects. British subjects born in British India before 1 January 1949 who did not become citizens of India also remained British subjects on 1 January 1949.
	The British Nationality Act 1981 provided for BSUKCs who had the right of abode in the United Kingdom to become British citizens on 1 January 1983. It also retained the status of British subject for those who remained British subjects on 1 January 1949.
	British subject status only applies to those born before 1 January 1949 and cannot be passed to further generations by descent, as is the case with British citizenship. The status will fail to exist when the last British subject is deceased.
	All British passports are issued in the same format and are only distinguishable by the status shown on the personal details page, or in some cases where the passport holder is not a European national for passport purposes by the absence of "European Union" on the front cover.
	The major difference between the status British citizen and British subject is that British citizens are able to travel freely within the European Union whereas British subjects who are not European nationals for passport purposes, may need to obtain visas prior to travel. Individuals holding "British Subject" passports may be required by the immigration laws of the receiving country to obtain visas prior to travel. This is not a matter over which the British Government have any authority to intervene. The UK Passport Service therefore recommends that all travellers check with the travel agent or the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country they intend to visit if a visa is required.
	There are no changes envisaged.

HMP Maghaberry: Immigration Act Detainees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Immigration Act detainees were held in HM Prison Maghaberry at the most recent date; whether any were children or juveniles; how many were awaiting deportation; and whether their regime (akin to that of prisoners on the enhanced regime) would be improved if they were treated as remand prisoners.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As at 27 December 2003 (the latest available date for which data are available) fewer than five individuals recorded as having sought asylum were detained at HMP Maghaberry, all of whom were adult males.
	It is not possible to identify how many of these persons were awaiting deportation.
	Detainees held at HMP Maghaberry are at present treated as unconvicted prisoners, who would include prisoners on remand.
	Information on the number of people detained as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1. html) on 25 May 2004.

Asylum Seekers: Gender Issues

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the new Home Office instructions on gender issues will have the effect that women applying for asylum will always be interviewed by women.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office Asylum Policy Instructions on Gender reinforces the existing position that every effort will be made to ensure requests for same-sex interviewers are met.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the significance of the current situation in Afghanistan in their action against Al'Qaeda; and in this context, what are they now doing, together with their allies, to limit the power of the warlords and to increase aid and assistance for civil reconstruction.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As a result of our efforts with the US and others in Afghanistan, that country is no longer a safe haven for Al'Qaeda (AQ). It is not always easy to distinguish AQ elements from other groups hostile to the current political process in Afghanistan. Extremists are undoubtedly attempting to establish bases there from which to operate, but successful military operations conducted by the coalition and units of the Afghan national army (ANA) are preventing them doing so. AQ operations worldwide have suffered disruption. AQ leadership is dispersed and operating under increasingly difficult conditions. Many key operatives and planners have been detained.
	The US-led coalition and NATO have now deployed a total of 12 provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) to help to extend the authority of central government at the expense of regional power-holders. The UK-led PRT in Mazar-e-Sharif helped to broker a ceasefire between two regional commanders in October 2003 and more recently played a key role in preventing factional unrest developing in Faryab Province, where a second UK-led PRT is now being established. The new PRT is already working with ANA and Afghan national police units sent to the area by President Karzai. PRTs have had a demonstrably beneficial effect on security in the areas they cover and this in turn helps to facilitate reconstruction.
	On 1 March 2004 my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development announced in his Written Statement (Official Report, Column 74WS) an increase of the UK's commitment, from £200 million over five years to at least £500 million over the same period. This funding is to support a range of reconstruction work, support for conflict prevention, and the counter-narcotics effort. A booklet outlining DfID's programme in Afghanistan has been placed in the Library of the House. International donors demonstrated their commitment to Afghanistan at the Berlin conference held on 31 March to 1 April 2004 by pledging 8.2 billion dollars of assistance over the next three years. This represents two-thirds of Afghanistan's requirements over this period. We hope that the full requirement will be met through more money becoming available from donors that were only able to make one-year pledges in Berlin.

Iraq: Amnesty International Report

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to each of the 11 recommendations in the Amnesty International report on the human rights situation in Iraq, entitled Iraq: one year on the human rights situation remains dire.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are carefully considering the recommendations of the Amnesty International report Iraq: one year on. With regard to the specific recommendations, we will be writing to Amnesty International once we have had time to consider them fully. We will place a copy of our response in the Library of the House.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received evidence from Darfur, western Sudan, that rape is being used as a weapon of war; and what is their reponse to the comments of the United Nations co-ordinator, Mukesh Kapila, that the situation is comparable to the Rwandan genocide.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 19 April (Official Report, Cols. WA 2–3).
	We have received alarming reports of systematic clearing of areas in Darfur based on the ethnic origin of the population in those areas. Civilians have been targeted. We have made clear that reported attacks directed against civilians, including rape, should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. A five-person team from the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights is in Darfur to investigate reports of serious human rights violations. We await their report. But the situation in Darfur is very different to that of Rwanda in 1994.

North Korea

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received the appeal issued by Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 15 April on behalf of Mr Park Yong-chol (alias Jo Yung-su), arrested in China on 18 January 2003, and facing repatriation to North Korea on 1 May; and whether they will make, in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a humanitarian demarche in his favour.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are aware of Mr Park's case, and have received the appeal issued by Christian Solidarity Worldwide on his behalf.
	We are currently discussing with EU partners action we might take.

Vietnam: Montagnard Christians

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Vietnam regarding the killing of Montagnard Christians in the central highlands of Vietnam during demonstrations over the Easter weekend.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are very concerned about the recent violence in the central highlands, and in particular about the reported deaths of several protestors. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (Gareth Thomas) raised the issue during his visit to Vietnam on 21 April. Our ambassador in Hanoi expressed our concern to the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister on 16 April and again on 20 April with EU partners at the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With our EU partners, we called on the Vietnamese authorities to respect fully international human rights standards in their response to demonstrations; to allow the international community access to the area; and to address the grievances of the ethnic minority people in the central highlands.
	My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) raised the situation of the Montagnards as well as broader human rights issues, including freedom of religion, during his visit to Vietnam on 16–18 March 2004.

Vietnam: Montagnard Christians

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have given support to the call of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia that the Government of Cambodia should give refuge to Montagnard Christians fleeing the central highlands of Vietnam.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We regularly raise with the Cambodian authorities the importance of fulfilling their obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its related 1967 protocol. We will also continue to reiterate to the Cambodian authorities the need for close co-operation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and of full access to the region for the UNHCR so that the status of those seeking refuge can be properly assessed.

Iraq: Alleged Punitive House Demolitions

Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their position on the alleged policy of punitive house demolitions in Iraq; and whether they deem such policies to have had a role in provoking the recent violent upsurge in that country.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK strongly denies allegations that we have been involved in collective punishments, including the destruction of property, and would fully investigate any such allegation. Where property or land has been destroyed during the course of coalition activities we understand that the owners have been compensated.

Iraqi Special Tribunal

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the statute establishing the Iraqi Special Tribunal.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The statute establishing the Iraq Special Tribunal is publicly available on the Coalition Provisional Authority website: www.cpa-iraq.org.

Rural Delivery Review

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When their consultation on Lord Haskins's rural delivery review will start; how long it will last; and when they plan to publish the results.

Lord Whitty: Consultation on the Government's response to Lord Haskins' rural delivery review began with the publication of our initial response on 11 November last year. Since then a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties have been consulted, e.g. through stakeholder meetings, partnership working and web-based consultation on particular aspects of the work. A large number of representations have been received and are being taken into account. This process of consultation and partnership working will continue up to and beyond the Government's full response to Lord Haskins' Review, which will be in the context of a refreshed rural strategy as promised by the Secretary of State in her speech on 4 November.